"I can't believe that this is really happening," Honey said. "Are you sure, Jesse?"
"Sure of what?"
"That you won't be sorry later. That you won't have regrets. That you won't change your mind and-"
"I won't change my mind. I won't have regrets or be sorry. Being a Ranger made it easy to avoid looking at my life as it really is. I've been drifting for years looking for something, Honey. I just didn't know what it was. I've found it here with you and Jack and Jonathan."
"What's that?"
"A place where I can put down roots. A place where my grandchildren can see the fruits of my labor. A home."
Honey didn't know what to say. She felt full. And happy. And by some act of providence she and the man she loved just happened to be in bed together.
"Where's Jack?" she asked.
Jesse grinned. "He's spending the night with a friend."
Honey arched a brow provocatively. "Then we have the whole house to ourselves?"
"Yes, ma'am. We sure do."
"Then I suggest we make use of it."
Jesse arched a questioning brow. "The whole house?"
' 'Well, we can start in the bedroom. But the desk in the den is nice. There's the kitchen table. And the tub has definite possibilities." Honey laughed at the incredulous look on Jesse's face.
"You'll kill me," he muttered.
"Yeah, but what a way to go," Honey said.
Hours later, Jesse was leaning back in a tub-ful of steaming water, his nape comfortably settled on the edge of the claw-footed tub. Honey was curled against his chest, her body settled on his lap.
"I didn't think it could be done," he murmured.
"You're a man of many talents, Mr. White-law."
He grinned lazily. "May I return the compliment?"
"Of course." Honey leaned over to lap a drop of water from Jesse's nipple. She felt him stiffen, and gently teased him until his flesh was taut with desire.
Jesse groaned, an animal sound that forced its way past his throat. "Honey," he warned, "you're playing with fire."
She laughed, a sexy sound, and said, "There's plenty of water here if I wanted to put it out…which I don't."
A moment later he had turned her to face him, her legs straddling his thighs. He grasped her hips and slowly pulled her down, impaling her.
Honey gasped.
He held her still, trying to gain control of his desire, wanting the pleasure to last. She arched herself against him, forcing him deeper inside the cocoon of wetness and warmth.
"You feel so good, Honey. So damn good."
"May I return the compliment?" she said in a breathless voice. She grasped his shoulders to steady herself as she rocked back and forth, seeking to pleasure him and finding the pleasure given returned tenfold.
Jesse reached out to cup her breasts, to tease the nipples into peaks, to nip and lick and kiss her breasts until Honey was writhing in pleasure. He found the place where their bodies met and teased her until she ached with need. Their mouths joined as his body spilled its seed into hers.
Breathless, Honey sought the solace of his embrace. He held her close as the water lapped in waves against the edge of the tub.
"I can't believe it," she said as he pulled her close and tucked her head beneath his chin. "Oh, the things we can do to improve the ranch! I have so many plans, so many ideas!"
Jesse chuckled. "Whoa, there, woman. One thing at a time."
She looked up at him and grinned. "What shall we do first?"
"First I think we ought to do some planting."
"What are we going to grow?"
"Some hay. Some vegetables. Some babies."
Honey laughed with delight. "Let's start with the babies."
Jesse fell in love all over again. It was amazing how sheer happiness made Honey glow with beauty. His heart felt full. His chest was so tight with feelings it hurt to breathe. He didn't have to drift any longer. He had found his home. Where he would spend each night with his woman. Where he would plant seeds-of many kinds-and watch them grow.
Joan Johnston
Joan Johnston is an award-winning author who has written more than 30 romance novels. A former corporate attorney, she lives in South Florida.
